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Proposals to scrap annual MOT testing could ‘hit motorists hard’

  Monday, 23 January 2012

Government plans to scrap annual MOT testing could hit motorists and the UK economy hard, according to a recent report by road safety campaigners ProMOTe.

The new study, titled ‘A Cost Too Far’, questions Government claims that reducing MOT frequency will ease the financial burden on motorists, suggesting the average driver could in fact be £57 worse off under a new MOT testing structure.

As part of its research, ProMOTe used data from the Department for Transport (DfT), the Treasury and numerous motor industry sources, which indicate the overall cost of a new MOT system will be £1.44 billion.

The Government’s belief that motorists could save money is based on comparisons with the UK’s traditional 3-1-1 MOT system, where vehicles over three years old are tested annually, as opposed to a 4-2-2 system more commonly adopted across Europe.

However, ProMOTe’s research has found that changing in line with the European MOT system would actually incur further annual costs of £81.81, made up of repair costs, insurance premiums and fuel costs.

Bill Duffy, ProMOTe co-ordinator, said: “This research shows that scrapping annual MOT testing would not only be dangerous but prove very expensive too, to both drivers and taxpayers alike.

“Moving to two-yearly tested would mean extra repair costs, extra insurance premiums and extra fuel costs for already hard-pressed motorists.”

The introduction of a 4-2-2 MOT system would increase the attraction of used car parts to UK motorists. In an age where every penny counts recycled car parts can provide motorists with a cheaper alternative to brand new parts available from dealerships and garages.

At ASM Auto Recycling we proudly stock over 250,000 guaranteed used car parts that have been cleaned, tested and guaranteed to give drivers peace of mind when fitting replacement parts to their vehicles.

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